Maharashtra wants Centre to waive Rs 21 crore bill for Kasab security

Mumbai: Following the execution of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of 26/11 Mumbai attack, Maharashtra government is hoping that it would not have to cough up Rs 21 crore on account of deployment of Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

An ITBP contingent was guarding Kasab ever since he was lodged at Arthur Road jail here four years ago.

"We wrote to the Centre that financial burden should not be put on the state government alone, but the Centre has not responded to our request. We hope the amount will be waived," Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said here on Thursday.

Patil also denied that Congress-NCP government in the state would exploit the execution of Kasab in the elections.

The date of hanging had been decided in consultation with additional sessions judge S B Agarwal two months ago, Patil said. "It is wrong to say that the hanging will be politicised."

The jail officials of Arthur Road jail and Yerwada jail who handled `Operation X` (pertaining to execution of Kasab) will be felicitated, Patil mentioned.